Cervical Mucus Stages Cervical mucus is most often regarded as one of the most ovulation symptoms. Thus, if you are someone trying to conceive, knowing the different cervical mucus stages and its different appearance will help you gauge if you are in your most fertile stage.
Cervical Mucus and Fertility Perhaps by now, you already know that ovulation is the time when there’s a high likelihood of getting pregnant. You may be wondering; what does cervical mucus stages have to do with fertility? The answer is – everything. Not only will the appearance of abundant discharges signal an impending ovulation; the transformation of the mucus itself is very important in the process of fertilization.
Before and after ovulation, you may still be able to notice these discharges. However, it won’t be as much as during ovulation. The appearance is different as well. Changes in the ovulation mucus appearance, consistency and acidity are needed to facilitate better survival of the sperm.
How Do I Check Cervical Mucus? You can check cervical mucus stages and gather samples by doing these:
Toilet Paper – You can swipe a clean toilet paper and observe the mucus gathered.
External – You can use your clean finger to feel for mucus accumulation at the opening of your vagina.
Internal – For this method, you will also use your finger; make sure it’s thoroughly clean, insert it into the cervix and sweep for mucus samples. You can use your index or third finger for this. Also, it’s best if you are squatting or sitting in the toilet when you’re doing this.
Once you have gathered substantial amount of mucus, you can check the appearance of the discharges as well as its stickiness. To check the stickiness, you can press it between two fingers; then slowly move it apart. Does the mucus stretch? Does it break immediately? Is it slippery?
How to Determine Cervical Mucus Stages Since you have already observed the appearance and stickiness of the mucus, we can determine which stage you are in your fertility calendar just by comparing your mucus to these facts:
Infertile Mucus If it was hard for you to gather any mucus at all; or if there are any but it takes on a flaky, dense, and sticky appearance, chances are you are seeing infertile mucus. Meaning to say, there’s little or no chance of conceiving during these cervical mucus stages.
Possibly Fertile Mucus Days following infertile mucus discharges, you may once again observe some changes. Mucus secreted in this stage may be more due to increasing estrogen; you may feel a bit damp. And when you gather mucus samples, you will observe that the mucus looks and feels cloudy, creamy, sticky and pasty. It does not stretch when you do the finger-pressing test.
During this cervical mucus stage, sperms will still have a hard time surviving or swimming through the discharge. Thus, there’s only slight chance of conception at this point.
Fertile Mucus At this point of the cervical mucus stages, there is a high chance that ovulation is right around the corner. You will notice more abundant discharges. And the mucus will look clear and thin. With the finger-pressing test, you will observe that the discharges are more watery and slippery.
Since ovulation can happen any day from the time you observe this kind of mucus, it’s very possible to get pregnant at this stage. Sperms will also have easier time swimming through this type of mucus as well.
Highly Fertile Mucus You’ve probably come across the abbreviation EWCM (which stands for egg white cervical mucus) a lot of times. EWCM are highly fertile mucus. It stretches when pressed between two fingers. And it looks just like a raw egg white in appearance.
This is the most suitable mucus for sperms to swim through to reach the egg in time for fertilization. Its consistency is pretty much like the sperms’. There’s a very high chance of getting pregnant during this stage.
Post-Ovulation Typically, your cervical mucus after ovulation will change back to its infertile state. You may notice scanty discharges or none at all in the days leading up to your period.
What Can Affect Variations in Mucus Results? While cervical mucus stages are very telling which phase you are in your cycle, there are certain external factors that can cause variations in your results or appearance of the mucus. Some of these include:
Medications like Clomid and other antihistamines.
Underlying medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and anovulation.
Diet, weight loss or gain.
Traveling or change of environment.
Just by knowing the different cervical mucus stages, you can gather so much information about your reproductive processes and its state of health. That’s how special a woman’s body is – even something that’s seemingly inconsequential like cervical mucus signals important and crucial processes.